The ACT Government is seeking an expert art consultant to lead the art strategy for the Canberra Hospital Expansion.

Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Minister for Health, said public artwork would enhance the wellbeing of people using the new Critical Services Building.

“We’re working to make the Canberra Hospital Expansion a place that supports patients, families, carers, and staff, creating a welcoming and healing environment for all hospital users and building an inclusive sense of community,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

The commissioned art will be installed in internal public spaces such as the new Welcome Hall and in courtyards surrounding the facility.

Community input into this new facility – including from health care consumers, carers, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community – was vitally important, Ms Stephen-Smith said.

“We want the Canberra community to really put their stamp on the new facilities they’ll use.”

Tara Cheyne, ACT Minister for the Arts, said the initiative was a great chance for the local arts community to get involved.

“The Canberra Hospital Expansion is a once in a generation chance for the ACT arts community to contribute to the future wellbeing of our city, and create and enhance spaces that people interact with every day, sometimes at their worst and best moments,” Ms Cheyne said.

“I encourage our arts community to start thinking now about what types of art would enhance the new facility and how they might like to get involved.”

The ACT Government gave local artists, art organisations, and cultural facilities more than $13 million in the latest budget, Ms Cheyne noted.

Tenders are now open to commission an art consultant for the Canberra Hospital Expansion Project. Submissions are due by 25 November.

More details about how local artists and groups can get involved will be released next year, after the art consultant is appointed.

To view the tender documentation for the art consultant, go to www.tenders.act.gov.au. For more information about the Canberra Hospital Expansion, visit www.hospitalexpansion.act.gov.au.